You can meet labelling requirements in display units by providing water rating labels or text advice with the registered model name of the product or registration number on an inclusion board located near the unit’s entrance.

Installing products

Plumbers are responsible for making sure products they supply and install are registered and providing the correct water rating information to the customer.

Products must also be installed so that they function as registered, and match the water efficiency performance detailed on the water rating label or text advice.

For example, showers and taps that were tested and registered with a flow controller must be supplied with that flow controller installed.

Critical components detailed for each product in
Australian Standard 6400:2016 cannot be altered. If any critical component changes, you will have to register this as a new version of the product before you can supply or install it.

Installing a product — who is responsible?

A plumber has a customer that would like a new toilet installed to replace a broken one. The plumber supplies and installs a toilet for the customer but the toilet is not registered with WELS.

Because the plumber has supplied the product, the
plumber is responsible​ for making sure the product is registered with WELS and providing the correct water rating information to the customer. If this requirement is not met, the plumber can be subject to legal penalties or compliance and enforcement action.

Avoid penalties

Supplying, displaying or installing products that are not registered or correctly labelled can lead to
penalties under the WELS Act, such as infringement notices or court action.

Infringement notice penalties can range from $630 up to $1,260 for an individual and $3,150 up to $6,300 for a body corporate, for each unregistered or incorrectly labelled product.

Civil penalties can range from $6,300 up to $12,600 for an individual and $31,500 up to $63,000 for a body corporate, for each unregistered or incorrectly labelled product.​

​​​Water efficiency standard

Product testing, rating, labelling and display requirements are detailed in Australian Standard 6400:2016 Water efficient products — Rating and labelling.

You can download a free PDF version of the standard by registering with SAI Global.